Did you know: Running back Carlos Hyde is averaging 95.4 scrimmage yards per game with four touchdowns in his last four home games.

Five Burning Questions

Can Chip Kelly avoid making history?

Chip Kelly becomes the first 49ers coach to lose nine straight games if defeated by New England. Chris Coduto/Getty Images

No 49ers coach has ever lost nine consecutive games, although it should be noted Bill Walsh (1980) once lost eight in a row and another relatively successful coach, Steve Mariucci, endured an eight-game losing streak in 1999. Given the fact the Patriots are 14-point favorites — an almost unheard of NFL spread for a road team — a win by the 49ers would rank as one of the biggest upsets in memory.

Can the 49ers get the New England defense on its heels?

Joe Staley (74) and the 49ers offensive line hope pave the way for Colin Kaepernick against the Patriots defense. Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group

The 49ers aren’t the Seattle Seahawks by any stretch. But the Seahawks went to Foxborough with an offensive line considered one of the worst in the NFL and more than held their own. In Colin Kaepernick, the 49ers have a quarterback who will run more often than Russell Wilson, and Carlos Hyde should be improved after a rough first game back from a shoulder injury. There is potential to move the ball.

There had to be some pride on the post-game flight home after stuffing the Cardinals running attack after giving up 100 yards or more to running backs an NFL record seven straight games. Arizona had only 80 yards on 23 carries, an average of 3.5 yards per attempt. The 49ers are still giving up an NFL-worst 180.4 yards per game, and there is nothing Bill Belichick likes more than tailoring a game plan to a perceived weakness. they’ll get Le Garrette Blount early and often.

Cornerback Trumaine Brock has six passes defensed in his last three home games. Safety Eric Reid had an interception last week against Carson Palmer and the Arizona Cardinals. Safety Jimmie Ward was a bright spot with four pass breakups against Arizona, and the 49ers are beginning to get Jaquaski Tartt more involved in the mix. So here comes Tom Brady, who is posting a career-best 125.5 passer rating at age 39. The lack of a pass rush makes it difficult, but the young secondary will get the ultimate progress report against the Patriots.

What will be the vibe when former owner Eddie DeBartolo is honored at halftime?

Former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo is carried off by ex-49ers in a legends flag football game. Jim Gensheimer/Bay Area News Group

Talk about torture. Fans who are paying premium season ticket prices to see the Patriots are faced with a 90 percent chance of rain and an equal chance that their team could be out of the game by halftime. At that point, will those fans who show up to the game even stay in their seats to see former owner Eddie DeBartolo honored at halftime? To be harkening back to the glory days considering the current state of the franchise seems like cruel and unusual punishment.

Prediction

New England 35, 49ers 10

Getting the Patriots coming off a home loss is the last thing the 49ers needed. Bill Belichick will have his team ready to go, but given his friendship with Chip Kelly, New England probably won’t run up the score too badly. You know how NFL players say there’s no such thing as a moral victory? It’s not true. If the 49ers can stay within 10 points, it’s a moral victory and counts as continued progress from last week’s 23-20 loss to Arizona.

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